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Object Timeline

1931

  • Work on this object began.

1941

  • Work on this object ended.

1963

  • We acquired this object.

2013

2015

2021

2024

  • You found it!

Booklet, Charnaux

This is a Booklet. It was designed by E. McKnight Kauffer and printed by Lund Humphries and featuring artwork by Maurice Beck and made for (as the client) Charnaux Patent Corset Co. Ltd.. It is dated ca. 1936 and we acquired it in 1963. Its medium is letterpress halftone. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.


The Charnaux Patent Corset Co. made use of material innovations to develop rubber undergarments for women. The company claimed that geometric patterns of perforations provided support and freedom of movement. Charnaux sought a modern, provocative identity for its brand, engaging Kauffer, Man Ray, Francis Bruguière, Hans Schleger (Zero), and others who worked at Percy Lund, Humphries & Co.

This object was donated by Mrs. Edward McKnight Kauffer. It is credited Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.

Its dimensions are

23 × 16.5 cm (9 1/16 × 6 1/2 in.)

Cite this object as

Booklet, Charnaux; Designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer (American, active England, 1890–1954); Featuring artwork by Maurice Beck (British, 1886–1960); Printed by Lund Humphries; Client: Charnaux Patent Corset Co. Ltd.; USA; letterpress halftone; 23 × 16.5 cm (9 1/16 × 6 1/2 in.); Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer; 1963-39-660

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Underground Modernist: E. McKnight Kauffer.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18448553/ |title=Booklet, Charnaux |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=26 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>